Wonderful independent research

Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School Students]

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Among summer vacation assignments, the most challenging one is often the independent research project.

Many elementary school students probably struggle each year with what topic to tackle.

So in this article, we’ll introduce independent research ideas especially recommended for fifth graders.

We’ve picked ideas mainly related to what fifth graders actually learn in science, social studies, and home economics.

You can choose a field that interests you from what you learned in the first term at school, or it’s also a good idea to work on something related to a topic that caught your attention while reading the textbook.

Now, let’s dive into the recommended ideas!

Summary of Recommended Independent Research Projects for 5th Graders [Elementary School] (81–90)

autonomous self-driving robot car

Let's Build a DIY Self-Driving Robot Car: Science Experiment [Azabu Science Experiment Classroom]

autonomous self-driving robot car

Make and play! Here are some ideas for an autonomous robot car.

Many of you have probably played by moving toy vehicles like cars or trains by hand.

This time, let’s try building a robot car that moves on its own.

In the video, they use tools and kits.

The completed self-driving robot car runs along a course drawn with a black pen on paper.

When using tools, be sure to work together with a teacher or guardian.

Give it a try!

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Sound experiment

[Environmental Experiment School] Let's experience how sound travels through 'things'

Sound experiment

Learn how sound travels! Here are some ideas for sound experiments.

What comes to mind when you think of sound? You’re surrounded by all kinds of sounds, aren’t you? This time, let’s deepen our learning with the theme of sound.

In the video, it seems you can learn about what sound is and how people perceive it differently.

By studying the properties of sound, you might make new discoveries in your daily life! The experiments feature ones using test tubes and ones using different materials.

Give them a try!

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Chatty Haiku

[Chattering Haiku] Episode 5! This time, too, we’ve got lots of adorable children’s haiku!

Chatty Haiku

Learn with a teacher who is both a haiku poet and an essayist! Let me introduce some ideas for “chatty haiku.” When people hear “haiku,” some may find it intimidating, but calling it “chatty haiku” might make it feel more approachable, don’t you think? In the video, you’ll find haiku that use words a two-year-old might say to their caregiver, as well as haiku that capture the honest feelings of lower-elementary school children.

The unique ideas that make you smile are utterly charming!

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Let’s enjoy haiku

“Chiba TV’s Learning Support Program” 3rd Grade Elementary School Japanese (4) (Chiba Prefectural Board of Education) (Broadcast on May 26, 2020) [Chiba TV Official]

Let's enjoy haiku

Working together with the Chiba Prefectural Board of Education! Here are some ideas to help you get familiar with haiku.

In elementary school, students usually learn haiku around the third grade, right? Many people may have learned about it in class but want to know more, or even try composing their own.

In the video, they feature haiku by poets like Yosa Buson and clearly explain the structure and rules of haiku.

It also teaches about seasonal words (kigo) with examples, so it’s highly recommended.

Be sure to give it a try!

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Three steps to make a haiku

Hamagakuen Presents: Haiku Workshop for Elementary School Students (2) — Three Steps to Composing Haiku

Three steps to make a haiku

Learn from the Haiku Koshien executive committee! Here are three-step ideas for composing haiku.

Many people want to try writing haiku but aren’t sure what process to follow, or simply want to learn how to make them.

These three steps are ideas you can use in such situations.

In the video, a member of the Haiku Koshien executive committee explains the key points clearly and carefully.

Give it a try!

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Experiment to make butter

Experiment to Make Butter – High School Biology Lab

Experiment to make butter

Butter makes all sorts of foods delicious—spread on bread, melted over baked potatoes, and more.

Did you know it can actually be made with a very simple process? The main steps are to pour chilled heavy cream into a sterilized container and shake it vigorously for 15 minutes.

The liquid will separate and turn into solids—the solid part is unsalted butter.

Mix in salt, and you’ve got butter! Shaking for 15 minutes is surprisingly hard work, so it might be a good idea to do it while watching TV.

Let’s also summarize why butter forms in the first place.

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In conclusion

I introduced recommended ideas for independent research projects for fifth graders in elementary school.

I selected topics mainly related to what fifth graders actually learn at school in subjects like science, social studies, and home economics, so please choose an area that interests you and give it a try.